Method of forming wire fence fabric



June 23, 14931. F 1 MAFERA 1,811,511

`Patented June ,23, 19341 f APMlazN'r OFFICE FRANK J'. MAFERA, 0F REVEREYMASSACHUSETTS METHOD' OFFORMING- WIRE FENCE FABRIC Application leci September 3, 1930. Serial No.' 479,475.

This invention relates to woven wire fence such as is commonly used for fencing industrial and residentialrproperties.V Y

f The method of manufacturing such fencing leaves at the top'or bottom edge, or both,

` of the fence a selvage in the form of a somewhat ragged and unsightly line of twists or barbs. This results from the fact that the fence is woven of one continuous fabric without a break except at its top and bottom where the strands are twisted upon .each other as a selvage and finish. l

For industrial properties, such. ragged selvages are not objectionable but in the case of fencing for residential properties where the fence is usuallyfairly low and its appearance notl only as a fence but in its relation to the property which it encloses is a vital factor, such unsightly selvages, particularly the/upper selvage, is apt to be a decided. disadvantage. j A

The twists orbarbsare not particularly artistic or ornamental and tol this extent del tract from the harmonious effect of theffence asa whole. Moreover, these twists or barbs,

particularly in the upper selvage, constitute projecting elementsupon which clothing may catch or hands may become cut, with resultant liability to the property owner.

The object of my present invention'is to eliminate each ragged selvage, particularly at the top of the fence, without sacrificing anything of the essential strength and rigidity, of the fence itself, thus to avoid danger of injury to hands or clothing, while at the same time providing a selvage which is at once or-. namental and attractive so as to enhance rather than detract from4 the general artistic appearance of the fence itself and the property which it encloses, all in a fence -construction which may be manufactured and erected without departing from accepted methods now followed.

. This object, together with certain features of advantage which will appear more fully hereinafter, is secured in the fence constituting the subject-matter of the present invention.

As illustrative of the principles involved, 50 I describe and show in the accompanying specification and drawings a form of fence which I have found highly satisfactory under actual service conditions and one which is well adapted tothe requirements of commercial manufacture.

In such drawings Fig. l is a generalview of a section of fence in accordance with my invention, and

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail showing my novel selvage.

According to usual practice, my fence is woven of any suitable material, as wire of desired gauge, so as to present a succession of interlocked meshesl of any desired size and shape. These constitute a continuous fabric of desired length and height which may be erected as a fence by any usual methods. One of the fence posts is indicated at 2 and a fragment of the top rail at 3 (Fig. 1).

In sharp distinction to the usual woven fence, however, the upper and bottom edges of the fabric or both of them, are closed, rounded, or otherwise given a smooth and attractive configuration instead of being twisted upon each other as a barbed or ragged selvage. A v

This is indicated somewhat diagrammatically in Fig. 2, wherein the upper terminal ends 4 of opposed strands (see dotted lines) in each mesh at the upper and lower edge of the fabric are brought together as indicated in full lines to close the meshes at such edge and thus avoid leaving any barbed or ragged projections at such edge.

Such terminal ends 4 may be closed upon one another in any suitable manner, as by spot welding or otherwise, forming an integral joint, as indicated at 5 in Fig. 2, which is smooth and rounded and ornamental and attractive.

The upper and/or lower edges of the fence thus present selvages which are devoid of any sharp projections, as barbsor twists which may cut the hands or tear the clothing. Being smooth, rounded and unbroken, they add to rather than detract from the appearance of the fence and the property which it encloses.

Although both top and bottom edges of the fence fabric are shown as continuously smooth and unbroken, it will be understood that only. the top edge need be so fabricated and that the bottom edge may be finished oi in the usual twists or barbs if desired.

Similarly the fabric pattern itself may be variously formed, with meshes of any desired shape and size, and the terminal ends 4. may be variously brought together and united, as by soldering, welding, crimping, or any other means of joining the same, Whether mechanical or electrical.

These and all such modifications may obviously be resorted to within the spirit and scope of my invention as dened by the apv pended claims.

What I therefore claimand desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The method of forming woven Wire fencing with a selvage devoid of projections, which consists in bending the terminal end portions of related pairs of the strands of the fencing into alined end-to-end abutting relation, and Welding said end portions together. A

2. The method of forming woven Wire fencing with a selvage devoid of projections, which consists in bending and thereby so shaping the terminal end portions of related pairs ofstrands of the fencing that when said end portions are brought into alined end-toend abutting relation they forma continuous regular curve, bringing said end portions into alined end-to-end vabutting relation, and Welding said end portions together.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature.

FRANK J. MAFERA. 

